A handyman who killed a 67-year-old Arlington woman after she hired him to do odd jobs was sentenced to 30 years in prison this week.

Shane Lee Dixon, 37, pleaded guilty Monday to murder in the June 2013 slaying Signe Edwards at her home. He must serve half of his sentence before he's eligible for parole.

Dixon became a suspect not long after Edwards was found in her home on Wild West Drive, the victim of multiple chop wounds to her head and face, according to the medical examiner's office. Edwards had hired him to do odd jobs, but they had a falling out over a job.

Edwards had purchased a gun from Dixon but wanted him to take it to a gunsmith to have it repaired. She confronted him June 8, 2013, when he didn't return the gun or the money she gave him to have it fixed. She told neighbors she was going to take her beef to police. That night she was killed, according to the district attorney's office.

Just a week after the slaying, Arlington police found Dixon in Oklahoma, where he'd been arrested on a traffic charge. He told police he was Edwards' handyman but insisted he hadn't been to her house in weeks. Authorities searched his car and found her blood.

Dixon was extradited to Texas in September and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The murder count was added later, and he pleaded guilty to both. The 10-year sentence for the firearms charge will be served concurrently.

Edwards' family released a statement expressing their relief and thanking those who brought Dixon to justice.

"While there will never truly be a victory in this case, as we can't bring her back or unwind the tragic way in which she lost her life, we are feeling a sense of relief that he is where he belongs for an extended period of time and won't be able to do this to another family's loved one. Our sincerest gratitude to Detective Blank and Mr. Harris of the DA office for their hard work and diligence in this case."